PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Handy Couture (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Keijo Richards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Richards has chosen Rolling Stones - Paint It Black as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Couture
vs
Richards

196 cm
22
280 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

210 cm
21
280 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good in bed

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Handy Couture!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Keijo Richards!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Robert Douchet and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Richards throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Couture.

Richards clinches up with Couture and pushes him back against the cage.
Richards is trying to break the clinch but Couture is controlling him.
Couture drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Richards ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Richards no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Richards is adopting a defensive guard.

Couture drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Richards dives on top into guard.
Couture keeping full guard, as Richards tries to pass.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Richards lands a couple of digs.

Couture is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Couture working for a triangle but Richards defends it easily.
Richards advances to half guard.

Couture looking for submissions off his back.
Richards lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Richards is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Richards lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
It looks like Richards is going to stand back up.

Couture is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Richards pulls his head out easily.
Couture is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Richards working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Richards lands with a punch from half guard.
Richards working Couture over with strikes.
Couture tries to roll over but Richards keeps him under control.
Richards slows the pace down in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Richards working over Couture with some ground and pound. Couture looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Richards is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Richards lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Couture is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Richards scores with a couple of nice shots.
Richards is taking a breather. Couture says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Richards prevents Couture from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards controlling the action here.
Couture has hold of Richards's hands but Richards slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Richards trying to control the action but Couture is working from the bottom.
Richards winds up and cracks Couture with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Richards is looking to take a break and control but Couture is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Couture looking for submissions off his back.
Couture might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Couture is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Couture looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Richards looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Couture with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Richards connects with a nice short shot to Couture's temple.
Richards is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Richards lands a nice short elbow.
Richards looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Couture with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Couture is rocked!
Richards lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Oh Couture is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

Couture has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Richards escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Richards!
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Couture seems to have got his legs back now.
Richards is chipping away with strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Richards working the body and head with strikes.
Couture trying to remain calm as Richards controls from the top position.

Richards stands up and beckons Couture to his feet.
Couture looks up at the clock. Bad move! Richards lands a right hand from hell, dropping Couture. Richards pounces and finishes the fight with a flurry of punches and elbows.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Keijo Richards!